MASSIVE INVESTMENT IN NEW STADIA FOR SYDNEY

NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres recently announced the biggest investment in sport and major event infrastructure in NSW since the 2000 Sydney Olympics, with a new 30,000 seat stadium at Parramatta the first project to be delivered as part of the package.

More than $1 billion will be invested in the stadia network over the next decade. $600 million has been set aside in Rebuilding NSW and the NSW Government will provide a further allocation of funding to complete the projects.

“A global city like Sydney needs world class sporting venues and this investment will ensure fans and sporting teams have the facilities they deserve,” Mr Baird said.

“Our first priority is building a new 30,000 seat stadium at Parramatta on the site of the existing facility, with work to begin as soon as possible and construction expected to be completed by 2019.

“This huge investment in our stadia will boost our capacity to attract big ticket events to NSW, as well as create and support thousands of jobs.”

The investment in the state’s major stadia network includes:

*A new rectangular stadium at Parramatta with 30,000 seats;

*A new rectangular stadium at Moore Park with 50,000 to 55,000 seats;

*The redevelopment of Stadium Australia, which may include a retractable roof;

*A new indoor arena near the CBD;

*A new outer western Sydney sporting venue; and

*The completion of the SCG upgrade.

Mr Ayres said NSW needs a mix of contemporary venues of varying sizes so we have options to bid for and host a wider range of events.

“The upgrades are contingent upon final business cases, design work and the NSW Government reaching content agreements with the sporting codes to ensure matches are spread across the stadium network,” Mr Ayres said.

“As part of this package NSW Government is negotiating to acquire leasehold management rights for Stadium Australia. Once this is finalised we will work towards one governing entity for Sydney’s stadia network.”